Saddle - #29

Gessell built this saddle as a tribute to the Native American tribes, who, she notes, were the first people here in our great country. “Our Western history wouldn’t have been the same without them,” she said. The morning glory flower represents strength, resilience and renewal and has a rich history of use in traditional medicine and spiritual rituals, she said. The small images placed into the floral design are inspired by Native American paintings made by the great American artist Charlie Russell, which Gessell had to alter slightly for use on leather – though she attempted to replicate the people, animals and colors of the original works as best she could.

While Gessell crafted the eight-strand kangaroo saddle strings and beadwork, the silver conchas and buckles were made by Shawn Didyoung. The saddle is built on a Steadfast Saddlery 3B Visalia tree.

Carol Gessell, Saddlemaker (Member)
Ennis, Montana

Having always loved horses and beautiful handmade Western gear, Carol Gessell was given a little Tandy leather kit as a child, which she used to make tack for her model horses. Though she put the kit away when she got older, she pulled it out again years later to make tack for real horses. Gessell started her own custom leather business around 1998, and by 1999 she was able to focus on working leather full-time. Shortly after, she began to build saddles. In 2017, Gessell was the recipient of a TCAA Fellowship. Encouraged by the mentors she met through the fellowship program, she began applying for TCAA membership. Earlier this year, Gessell became the first full TCAA member who is a female.